[Federal Register: March 31, 1999 (Volume 64, Number 61)] [Notices] [Page 15394-15395] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr31mr99-107] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Research and Special Programs Administration [Docket No. RSPA-99-5143 (Notice No. 99-3)] Safety Advisory: Unauthorized Marking of Compressed Gas Cylinders AGENCY: Research and Special Programs Administration (RSPA), DOT. ACTION: Safety advisory notice. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY: This is to notify the public that RSPA is investigating the unauthorized marking of high-pressure compressed gas cylinders. During November and December of 1998, RSPA conducted inspections of AAA Fire & Safety Company, Inc. (AAA), 48 East Newberry Road, Bloomfield, CT. The results of the inspections indicate that between the latter part of 1995 and August of 1998, AAA may have informed its customers that their cylinders had been hydrostatically retested by Aero All-Gas Company, Inc., Hartford, CT, when, in fact, the cylinders had not been retested by Aero All-Gas Company. There is no indication that Aero All-Gas Company had any involvement in the unauthorized marking of these compressed gas cylinders. Without conducting hydrostatic retests, cylinders that should have been condemned may be returned to service. Serious personal injury, death, and property damage could result from rupture of a cylinder. Cylinders that have not been retested in accordance with the Hazardous Materials Regulations (HMR) may not be charged or filled with a hazardous material (compressed gas). FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Michalski, Hazardous Materials Enforcement Specialist, Eastern Region, telephone (609) 989-2256, fax (609) 989-2277, Office of Hazardous Materials Enforcement, Research and Special Programs Administration, US Department of Transportation, 820 Bear Tavern Rd, Suite 306, West Trenton, NJ 08628. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: During November and December 1998, RSPA inspectors conducted inspections pertaining to the cylinder testing operations of AAA Fire & Safety Co., Inc. (AAA), 48 East Newberry Road, Bloomfield, CT. The results of the inspections indicate that between the latter part of 1995 and August of 1998, AAA may have informed its customers that a number of high pressure compressed gas cylinders, primarily fire extinguishers, had been hydrostatically [[Page 15395]] retested by Aero All-Gas Company, Inc., Hartford, CT. The inspectors obtained evidence from several of AAA's customers that indicates that AAA supplied its customers with cylinders marked as having been properly retested, in accordance with the HMR, by Aero All-Gas Company. An inspection conducted at Aero All-Gas Company revealed that the cylinders in question had not been retested by Aero All-Gas Company and that Aero All-Gas Company had not authorized these particular cylinders to be marked with its retester identification number (RIN). The cylinders in question were stamped with Aero All-Gas Company's (RIN) ``A393''. The markings appear in the following pattern: A 3 X Y 3 9 Where A393 is Aero All-Gas Company's RIN, X is the month of the retest (i.e. 11) and Y is the year of the retest (i.e. 98). Aero All-Gas Company is a DOT-approved cylinder retester, that conducts hydrostatic retesting. Most cylinders marked with Aero All-Gas Company's RIN have, in fact, been tested by Aero All-Gas Company. However, the results of the RSPA investigation appear to indicate that any cylinder that had been serviced by AAA and marked with Aero All-Gas Company's RIN between the latter part of 1995 and August of 1998 may not have been tested. RSPA inspectors have obtained a list of AAA's customers, and this safety notice will be mailed to everyone appearing on that list. Anyone concerned with a specific cylinder, marked as described above, can ask for a verification of Aero All-Gas Company's retest records by providing Mr. Michalski with the following information: cylinder serial number, DOT specification and the most recent retest markings (i.e. #389467, DOT-3AA1800, 10/98). Anyone who has a cylinder that is marked with RIN A393 and dated between late 1995 and August 1998, and that was serviced during that time by AAA, should determine from Mr. Michalski whether that specific cylinder appears on Aero All Gas Company's retest records. Any such cylinder that does not appear on Aero All-Gas Company's retest records should be considered unsafe and not charged with a hazardous material unless first properly retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility. Filled cylinders (if filled with an atmospheric gas) described in this safety advisory should be vented or otherwise safely discharged, and then taken to a DOT-authorized cylinder retest facility for proper retest, to determine compliance with the HMR. Under no circumstances should a cylinder described in this safety advisory, and verified as not appearing on Aero All-Gas Company's retest records, be filled, refilled or used for any purpose other than scrap, until it is reinspected and retested by a DOT-authorized retest facility. Issued in Washington, DC on March 25, 1999. Alan I. Roberts, Associate Administrator for Hazardous Materials Safety. [FR Doc. 99-7798 Filed 3-30-99; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 4910-60-P